Mechanical figure for projecting balls or the like.



No. 372,371. PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907.

H. 0. & L0. ROBERTS.

MECHANICAL FIGURE FOR PROJEOTING BALLS OR THE LIKE. APPLIOATION FILEDAPR. 9, 1906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

HARRY OWEN ROBERTS AND JOHN OWEN ROBERTS, OF GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND.

MECHANICAL FIGURE FOR PRO-TESTING BALLS-OR THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1907.

Application filed April 9- 1906. Serial No. 310.851-

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that HARRY OWEN ROBERTS and JOHN OWEN ROBERTs, subjects ofthe King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Glevum Works, St.James, Gloucester, England, have invented certain new and use fulImprovements in Mechanical Figures for Projecting Balls or the Like; andthey do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention for an improved mechanical figure or device for throwingkicking or otherwise projecting balls or the like, and other articles,relates to a figure or device in the form of a man or animal or it maybe made without resemblance to animate forms, and consists of two partsso connected ,that one can slide relatively to the other and a pivotedpart or parts mounted on one of the sliding parts and having motionimparted to it or them by a projection on the other sliding part. In oneway of carrying out this invention two sliding parts which may be madeof sheet metal cardboard and metal or other suitable material mayconstitute the body and legs respectively of a human figure, and thepivoted part one of the arms of the same, the sliding parts beingconnected together by guide lugs, grooves or the like 011 one part, inwhich the other part, or projections formed thereon are adapted toengage. The arm may be raised above the head of the figure or may hangby the side, but is so arranged that it tends to fall by gravity intothe path of a projection formed on the legs or movable lower part of thefigure, this projection passes through a slot in the body part and actsas a stop to limit thesliding action of the legs or lower partrelatively to the body or vice versa in one or both directions.

In another form of the invention one leg is mounted to slide relativelyto the body, while the other leg is pivotally suspended on the body, andhangs in such a manner that an inclined projection o the sliding leg.

A number of limbs or other parts may be made to move at the same time,for instance two legs or arms, or a leg and an arm. The arms may beprovided with clips or other devices for holding articles.

When the contour of the leg or arm when part thereof is in the path ofav In using the device, it will be held by its body or the like, andbrought down with sufficient pressure in a standing position on a tableor other surface, which will cause the body to slide down the standingleg or support, and thereby bring the pivoted arm, leg or the like intocontact with the projection on the sliding leg or support causing thearm, leg or the like to kick, throw or otherwise move with an energyproportionate to the pressure used, thereby propelling balls or otherarticles with more or less force.

In the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 3 are side elevations of threedifferent forms of mechanical figures constructed according to thisinvention.

Referring to Fig. 1. of the drawing the mechanical figure therein shownwhich is adapted for throwing is formed of a lower part comprising thelegs a and upward extension 7) shown in dotted lines, an upper or bodypart 0 arranged to slide in guides (1 formed by bending over oppositeedges of the lower part as shown, and an arm a pivoted at f to the body0. When the body 0 is depressed in the guides d the arm is raised by aprojection g on the part I) which bears against a shoulder piece on thearm having a curved or inclined edge. The projection 9 also acts as astop to limit the motion of the body relatively to the legs and as aguide for the part c. The arm falls back into its lowcred position whenthe body is raised, a stop It on the arm limiting the upward anddownward movement by coming against the back of the head or shouldersrespectively. A socket or clip 2' is provided on the arm 6 for holdingsmall articles to be thrown or projccted.

In Fig. 1 the arm is shown in the lowered position. If new it is desiredto throw a ball or other article, the article is inserted in the clip orsocket i the feet placed on a table or other support, and the body a isquickly depressed causing the arm a to be jerked'iorward until arrestedby the stop 71 at which moment the article in the socket i will beprojected.

Fig. 2- illustrates a kicking figure. In this case the body 0 has adownward extension on which a single sliding leg at is mounted andpivoted with guides d. The other leg a. is pivoted on the body at k anda kicking movement imparted to it, when the body 0 is depressed by aprojection Z on the leg a. A rojection m formed. by bending outward theower end of the part j limits the upward movement of the body relativelyto the leg in the upward direction by coming against the guide d whilethe projection l limits the downward movement of the body.

In use, the body 0 of the figure is taken hold of and raised and the lega falls into its lowest position. The figure is then placed with its legat in line with and at a short distance from the ball to be kicked. Itnow the body 0 be depressed while the leg (1 rests on the table orsupport, the pivoted leg will kick and project the ball.

In Fig. 3 a figure holding a cricket bat, club, stick or the like 1 forstriking a ball is shown and comprises legs a and body 0 as in Fig. 1,but in this case the arm 6 hangs by the side of the figure and is causedto swing forward to make a stroke with the bat or like by the projectiong acting on the curved rear edge of the arm, when the body 0 isdepressed or caused to slide downwards on the legs.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A mechanicalfigure or device for throwing kicking or otherwise projecting balls orthe like and other articles consist-ing of two parts so connected thatone can slide relatively' to the other, and a pivoted part or partsmounted on one of the sliding parts and having motion imparted to it orthem by a projection on the other sliding part substantially asdescribed.

2. A mechanical figure or device for throwing, kicking or otherwiseprojecting balls-or the like and other articles, consisting of a lowerleg part, integral guides on the edges of the leg part, an upper bodypart mounted to slide in said guides, a pivoted part mounted on the bodyand adapted to throw. or otherwise project a ball or the like, and astop on the leg part arranged to actuate the pivoted part when the bodypart is depressed.

3. A mechanical figure or device for throwing, kicking or otherwiseprojecting balls or the like and other articles, consisting of a lowerleg part, integral guides on the edges or the leg part, a slotted upperbody part mounted to slide in said. guides, a pivoted part mounted onthe body adapted to throw or otherwise project a ball or the like, and astop on the leg part arranged to work in the slot in the body part andto actuate the pivoted part substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have affixed our signatures, in presence of twowitnesses.

HARRY ONEN ROBERTS. JOHN OWEN ROBERTS. Witnesses:

WILLIAM WYNDHAM VANN, CHARLES ARcHIBALD BRETHERTON. i

